Page 20 of An Unexpected Ascension
Alone, Marty finally realizes the horrific song is from the crows perched along the tree branches. Here and there, the noises stop as they peck away at the hanging flesh like worms early in the morning.
“Just keep quiet and follow me. Show no fear. These insatiable beasts will smell it on you a mile away.” I make a point of sniffing the man.
I have no doubt this will be less than a smooth trek.
A loud, ear-bleeding scream echoes the moment we step foot on the path and another just feet away. The crows can smell him like the smoke from an extinguished flame that’s spent far too long charring its kindling.
“Keep moving,” I growl.
He does, his body nearly attached to mine. I can feel his bones rattle with terror and his teeth chattering endlessly.
“Get it together, Marty, or we’re never making it. You’ll end up with your skull pecked clean and your bones as toothpicks for the hounds.”
He shakes himself off, one limb after another, jumping a few times to rid himself of his useless feelings. I’m starting to find that this man thrives on being ordered about. It’s proving to be quite convenient.
We trudge over uneven ground, following the trail to the gates of his new home. Every so often, the screams and cries of crows elicit a startled jump from him, but slowly, he grows used to it.
“How do you live like this?” he asks, befuddled.
“Easy. This forest is a very little part of my life. My life is beyond the gates of Hell, in the depths of the city. I’m handsomely rewarded for my servitude to the Lord. I lack nothing, want for nothing, needfor nothing. I’m content, more so than I ever was on Earth. My question to you is how ever did you tolerate Heaven?”
He balks. “What do you mean? It’s Heaven! It’s everything a good person would ever want. It’s beautiful, peaceful, there’s so much fulfillment?—”
“Yeah, so the saints say. Tell me, Marty, did you ever find yourself enjoying the better parts of heaven? Ever miss the touch of a woman or of a hefty pour of a spicy bourbon?”
“I-I...” He stops in thought.
“A decedent slice of chocolate cake or an outburst of rage captured by a single word. You should say it. Come on now. Say it. FUCK.”
His eyes widen as if he hasn’t heard the explicative in ages, let alone speak it. Shaking his head in fear of repercussion, I smirk, steadily encouraging him to let loose.
“I-I can’t. Don’t ask me to, Hermes,” he whispers at last, a plead to hang onto this only thread of dignity.
“Do what you want, that’s your given right down here in Hell, but know, there won’t be any consequences for speaking what’s on your mind. Talk about your death, feel your feelings – far away from me of course – and do whatever it is you do to get you through eternity. All your fears are misguided. However, I will promise you this, shortly after you settle in and see just how wrong your Gods are – not just about Lucifer or Hell – but about everything, you will begin to understand. Rage will consume you and when that day comes, I’ll be waiting to satiate that festering hatred chipping away at your sanity.”
“Hatred? For what? My God housed me, loved me, gave me a second chance and I ruined it. It was my own fault.”
“Oh, poor, dumb Marty. Whatever gets you through this afterlife.”
He stumbles over a femur bone, grumbling to himself. He will see it one day, the difference between worlds. Why the concepts we’ve governed here in Hell are nothing of the stories spread on Earth. ThatHeaven is a mirage, a monster’s mouth hidden behind a beatific golden mask. You don’t know you’ve been eaten alive until you’re in the belly of the beast, and by then, it’s either too late or you’re thrown into the bowels of Hell.
Yet, our shit is better than their gold.
“You don’t know me. I’m loyal. I prayed to my God every day. Worshipped every moment I could?—”
“And here you are in Hell. What does that tell you, Marty?”
His mouth snaps shut, and fury roils in the faded blue of his weathered eyes. I don’t miss the way his hands ball into fists, but if pressed, he’ll deny his loyalties are starting to waver despite the obvious shift inside of him.
Chapter 7
The Angel
I’m starting to lose track of time, but according to the damnation countdown on my wall, it’s been more than a day since I saw Will last.
He was supposed to take me to venture out into the land, show me all the other places that are worth seeing. I know I could explore on my own, but I wanted to wait for him.
I’ve already recited 87Hail Maryssince I came back home yesterday and decided to really take this penance stuff seriously after what happened with Marty. Though, I can only say the same prayer so many times before my tongue stops working and my brain shuts down.
